A New Name

What do you call your father? My boy calls me "Daddo" and it is truly precious for me to hear him say it. A few years ago my daughter began calling my mother "Eema" and we thought it was cute and all but my mom especially loved being called this special new name that Sydnee had given her. This name has become her new name. All of her grandchildren call her this now. I think I finally understand why my mom loves her new name so much.

What is in a name? What is it about being called son, daughter that changes everything? Closeness?

When my wife and I got married she took my last name. She became part of my family, she identified herself as part of my life. I don't think I could truly understand the full implications of her taking on my name. I still have not. Christ refers to us as his bride and we take on his name when we become Christians. We are called by his name. We are known by his name. We are given this new name. Does he love to hear us called by his name? Does it bring joy to him to hear us gladly accept his name? Hearing my wife referred to not by her old name but by her new name brings joy to me. Probably my least favorite thing about Facebook is that it shows her maiden name. Her old name.

What is your old name? What is the name you were formerly known by? Paul was once called by the name Saul. He took this new name that God gave him willingly and was happy to live under the new name. Saul, was the chief of sinners, he was a violent hateful man. Paul, laid down his life for Christ. Abram was renamed Abraham by God and this was a complete change in the definition of who he was. So, what is your old name?

What do you call your heavenly father? Abba? A few years back some friends of ours started calling God "Daddy" and to be honest it kind of bothered me. I think it made me feel farther away from God. Like if these friends of ours called him Daddy, my relationship with God must not be quite as precious or close as theirs.

An author I admire recently stated that she did not want to be considered a Christian any longer. She still had faith but did not want the baggage associated with the name Christian. Part of me was ok with that but there was this other little part of me that was a little bugged by this. Isn't part of becoming the bride of someone that you take on the good and the bad? My wife married all of me, she took on my name, regardless of the baggage that came with my family name.

The name of Christ is a name that carries all kinds of baggage with it. Sadly I have added negative baggage to the name of Christ very time I have been a hypocrite or done things selfishly. Christ does not turn away from me because of the baggage I have added to his name. He embraces me all the closer, he accepted it knowing fully the shame I would bring him one day. Sometimes we forget that the cross was a shameful thing. That it was a curse.

So what is your new name? Is it alcoholic, sex addict, loser or womanizer? Is it homosexual, sinner or liar? Murderer, rapist or gossip? Is it republican, democrat or libertarian? All of those sound like old names to me.

How about, son, daughter, precious one, beautiful, love? Christian?

God wants a closeness with us that is beyond the closeness of my boy calling me "Daddo." He wants a closeness that is so strong we gladly take on a new name. We embrace what it is he calls us.

Are you listening? He speaks so softly.